Torpedo-setting device.



PATBNTBD JAN. 30, 1906.

H. A. BEALE.

TORPEDO SETTING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 25, 1905.

UNITED STATES T OFFICE.

HARRY A. BEALE, OF MCOOOK, NEBRASKA.

TORPEDO-SETTING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Battent.

Patented Jan. 30, 1906.

Application filed July 25,1905. Serial No. 2715219.

Tomi/Z whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY A. BEALE, a citizen of the United States, residing at McCook, in the county of Redwillow and State of Nebraska, have invented new and useful Improvements in Torpedo-Setting Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to torpedo-adjusting devices designed for setting torpedoes upon railway-rails, and has for its objects to produce a comparatively simple inexpensive de vice of this character with which the torpedo may be readily and. securely engaged, one

whereby the operation of positioning the torpedo in the holder will be facilitated, and one which may be conveniently operated from a molving train for setting the torpedo on the rai With these and other objects in view the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a torpedo-setting device embodying the invention and illustrating a torpedo positioned in one of the holders. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the device. Fig. 3 is a detail section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a head or frame having a central tubular portion 2, constituting a socket for the reception of one end of a handle 3, said head being preferably of the form as illustrated herein and presenting an upper transverse portion or bar 4 and. a pair of substantially U-shaped portions or holders 5, comprising crown portions or webs 6, outer side arms or portions 7, and an intermediate arm or portion 8, which latter is in axial alinement with the socket 2, is common to and forms a part of both of the holders 5. The arms 7 and 8, which are appropriately spaced, terminate at their outer or free ends in projecting bearing portions or lugs 9, each having a laterally-opening slot 10 and an upwardly-opening socket 11, presenting a bearing-seat and adapted to com- I n'iunicate at one side with the adjacent slot.

Disposed centrally of each of the holders 5 is a longitudiirally-movable retaining member or plunger 12, having bearing in the bar 4 and web 6 and provided beneath the latter with a head 13, preferably in the form of an annular nut tapped onto the end of theplunger, there being disposed upon each of the plungers apressure member or spring 14, hav- 1mg hearing at one end against the bar 4 and at itsother end against a collar 15, fixed at an intermediate point on the plunger, on which-latter there is also arranged at the inner face of the head 13 a rubber orother elastic cushioning member 16, it being noted in this connection that the springs 14 are normally expanded for maintaining the plungers in projected positions, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and that under this condition'the collars 15 constitute stops which through contact with the webs 6 limit the outward movement of the plungers, while the rubber gaskets 16 serve, through contact with the webs, to cushion the parts and relieve shock incident to the inward movement of the plungers, as more fully hereinafter explained.

In practice a torpedo 17 is positioned in one of the holders 5 by entering its springarms 18 in the slots 10 of one of the arms 7 and arm 8, as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, after which the torpedo is forced bodily upward, carrying with it the adjacent plunger 12, until the terminals of the springs 18 snap into the sockets 11, in which position the torpedo will be maintained through pressure of the plunger 12 under the influence of spring 14, as seen at the left in Fig. 1 and as will be readily understood, it being obvious that under conditions necessitating theapplication to the rail of a pair of torpedoes the latter Wlll be similarly arranged respectively in each of the holders 5. After positioning the tor pedoes the operator grasps the handle 3 and arranges one of the holders 5 above the rail tread, whereupon a quick downward stroke of the device will serve to force the plunger 1.2 inward and release the terminals of the springs 18 from seats 11, whereupon erating on a moving train.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there is produced a comparatively simple device admirably adapted for the attainment of the ends in view, it being understood that ICO minor changes in the details herein set forth may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is In a device of the class described, a head including a holder having spaced side portions, bearing-lugs formed on said side portions and provided with lateral-opening slots designed to receive a torpedo-spring, said lugs having sockets arranged to communicate with the slots and for the reception of the spring when the torpedo is moved upward in the holder, a movable plunger carried by the head and adapted to bear upon a torpedo 15 positioned in the holder, and means for coInpressing the plunger to bearing position.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HARRY A. BEALE.

Witnesses:

J. R. MGOARL, CHARLES W. DEWEY. 

